GPSU wants Govt to do more – GPSU President

…”relavant, reliable and accessible Public Service” needed – Minister Harmon

Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) President Patrick Yarde has taken the new Government to task, stating that it was

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

time that public servants begin receiving compensation for their contribution, thereby bringing an end to their impoverished lifestyles.
Yarde was at the time speaking at the opening ceremony of the 21st Biennial Delegates’ Conference of the GPSU held under the theme, “Enhancing the process of the restoration of dignity and professionalism in the public service” at the Arthur Chung International Convention Centre on Wednesday.
The Union President lamented what he described as the extreme difficult circumstances employees of the Public Sector continue to endure year after year, with little or no support from Government.
“We expect that the employers of our members understand that what we seek is an end to the days of the impoverished public servant,” Yarde told the auditorium of Government officials and representatives of the various public service entities.
He said it was time that public servants be afforded the opportunity of earning an income that could allow them long holidays overseas and lifestyles that would be comfortable for themselves and families. He said the GPSU was, however, thankful for the support already shown by the new Administration and promised to take the new Administration to task, engaging Government at every level, to see a complete restoration of the Public Service Union and its service to the employees.
“The road we seek cannot be built in a day. We understand that something will take longer. What we want to ensure is that our recommendations for advancement is taken seriously,” he said, continuing that the Union welcomed the proposals put forward by the new Government.
Meanwhile, Yarde bashed the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, which, he said, had turned a blind eye to the plight of the working class.
This included the overall “politicisation of the Public Service Commission (PSC), the effect of the non-functioning Public Service Appellate Tribunal, the erosion of formal employment and blatant discrimination and victimisation”. He said he hoped the new Government did not follow the same pattern.

Double standards
“This Union will not embrace double standards. We call for an end to lip service… we not only desire better emoluments but a restoration of dignity to the public service,” he added.
The GPSU President also pressed Government to return the Public Service Appellate Tribunal. This will give workers in the Public Sector the freedom to appeal decisions which lead to their dismissal.
Its call for the Tribunal to be resuscitated, he said, had fallen on deaf ears. The Tribunal was squashed some 20 years ago.
Yarde said the Union had put forward several proposals to the previous Administration for the 2015 national budget. According to him, some had to do with Government funding for various projects; however, the Union was most disappointed when it was found that every proposal had been put on the back burner.
“We are seeking to engage the Government on those matters,” he assured the public service representatives.
But the newly-elected Government had announced a five per cent increase in salaries for public servants without even consulting the GPSU which said nothing about the continued breach of the collective bargaining agreement.
The Union was silent on the action of the Government although it had argued that any five per cent increase could be deemed “starvation wages” and had unsuccessfully fought the previous Government tooth and nail for all workers to earn at least $100, 000.
Minister Jordan had announced that effective July 1, 2015, the minimum salary in the public service would be $50,000 per month, while public servants who earned more will receive a five per cent salary increase plus an additional $5000 monthly as of the same date.

Keynote address
Meanwhile, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who delivered the keynote address declaring the three-day conference open, said Government remained committed to the overall well-being of every public servant in Guyana, noting that Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the collective bargaining process.
“I just want you to know that on this side you have a caring Government. The Government cannot function without the public servant. You are involved in one of the most important tasks of public life: the delivery of public service. Services such as education, health and public security all depend on you,” Harmon said.
He related too that Government took “very seriously” public servants, their morale, and their benefits that have been approved. He said a new roadmap would be laid out which would indicate the type of public servant the new Administration was looking for.
“If we are to have an efficient public service we must be frank about the things that we need. This Administration has taken very seriously the public servant and the benefits that are to be accrued by working in the public service.
“A public service that is relevant, reliable and accessible; that is responsive to the needs of the people. In addition to its functions of delivery, it is also an institution of historical knowledge. This knowledge and experience must be available to a political administration.”
The GPSU has a proud history and is said to be one of the oldest unions in Guyana. With a membership of over 10,000 with 80 branches countrywide, the GPSU came into being on June 8, 1923, when 110 civil servants met in St Andrew’s Hall in Georgetown and unanimously passed a resolution approving of an approach being made to the Governor to sanction the formation of the British Guiana Civil Service Association (B.G.C.S.A.).
Its Industrial Relations activities began during an era when the country was administered by a Colonial Administration based in Great Britain via by a Governor and other functionaries here.
In 1972, the name was changed from Civil Service Association to the Public Service Association. In 1975, there was a merger with the Medical Employees Union (M.E.U), and the name of the Association was changed from the Public Service Association to the Guyana Public Service Union, (GPSU).